CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 09: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the 2018 Brooklyn Nets first round draft pick. After a month of reports stemming out of Kyrie’s request to be traded, the day has finally come. Since that initial report the scenarios had included a list of teams Kyrie gave to the Cleveland front office, speculation from inside reports and where he could actually fit in with his style, and the potential departure ofLeBron James. Reports varying from every angle and not too many were convinced Boston would be the place Irving could actually land.

What Does Next Season Look Like?

This blockbuster trade shakes up both teams, but more importantly it shakes up the Eastern Conference. The number one and number two team in the East just swapped quality players. Boston and Cleveland met in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, where James and Irving cruised to a 4-1 series victory. Boston had come off a long 7-game series vs. the Washington Wizards and beat Cleveland in Quicken Loans Arena in game 3. However, there was little competition as Cleveland had defeated them by 44 and 33 points in Boston.

As long as no other trades or signings are made, the potential starting lineups for each team will be:

Tuesday October 17th, 2017. The Boston Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night of the 2017-2018 season. The hype around this game was already high, but with this trade it is easily one of the top games to watch this year. Obviously both teams are poised to clash in the Eastern Conference Finals again, but this time with extra drama added to the rivalry.

4 COMMENTS

[…] season has been full of ups and downs for the Cavaliers, starting in the off-season with the blockbuster trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. In the Irving trade, the Cavs acquired then-injured […]

[…] season has been full of ups and downs for the Cavaliers, starting in the off-season with the blockbuster trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. In the Irving trade, the Cavs acquired then-injured […]

[…] 3 was truly the year of Terry Rozier. Isaiah Thomas was traded for Kyrie Irving (amongst other players and picks), so things did not look great for Rozier at the beginning of the season. After countless injuries, […]

[…] Cleveland Cavaliers technically began the Race for Zion in 2017. On August 30th of that year, they agreed to trade Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn […]